Every season, there is a new Atlanta Braves prospect ready to make their impact on the team. It's been a constant, almost every season, for the Braves lately. There wasn't much expectation for a youngster to make the Opening Day roster this season.
However, that may have changed with recent injury timelines for Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep. Atlanta now has to fill a fifth starter spot with an internal candidate, as they don't seem willing to add an external option. Top prospect JR Ritchie now has a big opportunity to help the team out. If he has a strong spring, he could crack the Opening Day roster.
However, it seems he has been forgotten by most MLB pundits. Ritchie wasn't added to a few lists of rookies expected to make an impact in 2026. MLB, Baseball America, and The Athletic all left him off their lists.
JR Ritchie not making any pre-2026 rookie rankings list is simply not correct even if he isn't currently threatening the top spot
The Athletic's piece by Keith Law is especially bizarre. It's not too shocking Ritchie wouldn't be in the top 20, but it's baffling he wasn't even considered in his honorable mentions. It feels strange that Law would leave him off when there's a very real chance he makes the rotation.
Ritchie seems to be prepared for that as he has been asked about in a couple of times this spring. He seems confident in his ability to help the team should his number be called.
JR Ritchie: “If they think I can help them win games, then I’ll try to help them win games.” https://t.co/rqc8WsN0Jw
— Gabe Burns (@GabeBurnsAJC) February 19, 2026
Ritchie also told Braves insider Mark Bowman, “I try not to let you know the fact that I'm in Triple-A or that I'm in big league camp, or any of that, affect what I do on a day-to-day basis," said Ritchie. "It's still the same game.”
That's a great attitude to have. He can only focus on what he does well at any level of the game. The only thing that really changes is the stakes and the stadium size. But those are things he cannot control. Ritchie has impressed so far this spring and has a real shot at helping the team at some point. He just needs to refine a few things to be successful at the MLB level.
Reigning NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin seems to believe in him as well. “I think he’ll definitely be a help for us. You know how much pitching depth we used last year. I think he’ll be one of those guys that’ll step in and be able to fill a role.”
It's odd that no one outside of the Braves seem to think he will make an impact this season. It feels increasingly likely he will make his MLB debut in 2026.